Who Is Cat Jarman? All About Charles Spencer’s Girlfriend and Podcast Cohost

Mar. 15, 2025

Charles Spencer with Cat Jarman in June 2023.Photo:Charles Spencer/Instagram

Charles Spencer/Instagram

Charles Spenceris dating again amid hisdivorce from his third wife, Karen Spencer.

The 9th Earl Spencer and younger brother of the latePrincess Dianaannouncedhis splitfrom Karen in June 2024 toThe Mail on Sunday.

“It is immensely sad,” Spencer told the outlet of his divorce. “I just want to devote myself to all my children, and to my grandchildren, and I wish Karen every happiness in the future.”

In October 2024, Spencerconfirmed his romancewith Norwegian archaeologist Cat Jarman, his podcasting cohost onRabbit Hole Detectives.

“With Cat, I can be myself,” Charles toldThe Mail on Sundayin November 2024. “She knows who I am, who I really am. I don’t have to pretend to be something I am not. Andshe brings out the best in me.”

So, who is Cat Jarman? Here’s everything to know about Charles Spencer’s girlfriend.

Jarman and Spencer cohost a podcast together

Charles Spencer and Cat Jarman at Althorp in August 2021.Charles Spencer/Instagram

Spencer and Jarman launched their podcast,Rabbit Hole Detectives, alongside Reverend Richard Coles in February 2023. Each episode of the podcast chases “the provenance of historical objects both real and metaphorical,” per the description.

“I essentially get the freedom to just research all kinds of fun topics, historical topics, origins of pretty much anything,” Jarman said of the podcast in her Institute of Irish Studies talk.

She and Spencer began dating amid his divorce

Charles Spencer, 9th Earl Spencer and Karen Spencer arrive at the wedding of Prince Harry to Ms Meghan Markle at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle on May 19, 2018 in Windsor, England.Chris Jackson/Getty

Chris Jackson/Getty

After Spencer announced his divorce from his estranged wife Karen in June 2024,TheMail on Sundayalso reported that he was “becoming close to” Jarman, who is currently separated from her husband.

In addition to their podcast, Jarman has also been helping Spencer unearth a Roman villa in Althorp.

“It was an absolute privilege to work with Charles as the first archaeologist in the grounds of this 500 year old park,” Jarman wrote onInstagramin November 2021 announcing her work on the project. “Can’t wait to share the full results!”

Spencer eventuallyconfirmed his relationship with Jarman— calling her his “partner” during an appearance onGood Morning Britainin October 2024.

Spencer is 18 years older than her

While speaking toThe Mail on Sundayin November 2024, Spencer acknowledged the18-year age differencebetween him and Jarman.

“I’ve never been with a much younger person,” he told the outlet, adding that his archaeologist girlfriend is “very canny, very emotionally mature.”

Jarman attended the University of Bristol

Charles Spencer and Cat Jarman after recording the first episode of their podcast in January 2023.Charles Spencer/Instagram

Now, Jarman is an honorary senior research associate at the Department of Anthropology and Archaeology at the school and the director of the archaeological research unit.

Jarman is an archaeologist and author

Bio archaeologist Cat Jarman in conversation with William Dalrymple at a session during the Jaipur Literature Festival 2022 , in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India, on Thursday, March 10,2022.Vishal Bhatnagar/NurPhoto via Getty

Vishal Bhatnagar/NurPhoto via Getty

After receiving her doctorate, Jarman continued her archaeological work, specializing in the Viking field, specifically on women and Rapa Nui (Easter Island). She has led excavations at the Anglo-Saxon and Viking site Repton as well as at the newly discovered Viking winter camp in Foremark, per her bio.

“I’m always looking for new stories to tell,” Jarman said of her work in aconversation for the Institute of Irish Studiesin Liverpool in November 2023. “I do a lot of broadcasting and podcasts as well.”

In addition to her fieldwork, Jarman has published her findings in two books, 2021’sRiver Kings: A New History of the Vikings from Scandinavia to the Silk Roadsand 2023’sThe Bone Chests: Unlocking the Secrets of the Anglo-Saxons.

The former traces the origins of a piece of jewelry that was found in England from India, and the latter tells the story of her research into ten broken wooden chests that contained the bones of royals.

In her talk at the Institute of Irish Studies, she shared that she enjoyed writing the scientific parts of her latest book the most, describing it as her “comfort blanket.”

She is a mother

Jarman has been open about her struggles of being a full-time working mother on Instagram. In a February 2023 post, she wrote about how she took her children on a trip with her as they were on break from school, something she rarely gets to do.

She filed a lawsuit against Karen Spencer

Karen Spencer; Charles Spencer; Cat Jarman.David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty(2); Marta Perez/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty(2); Marta Perez/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

In October 2024, JarmansuedCharles' estranged wife, Karen Spencer, alleging misuse of private information. She later revealed to theDaily Mailthat Karen allegedly disclosed her 2016 multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis without permission.

“Karen learned that I have MS. It was also confirmed to her that this was not something that was widely known. And yet she then went to Charles and said: ‘You do know she has MS, don’t you?’ " Jarman told the outlet in December 2024. “I’m still not entirely sure who else she shared this private and sensitive information with, which is the point of this legal action.”

Countess Spencer did not respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

source: people.com